FriDAY, THE 31TH of AUGUST

Dokumentation OF THE BUILDING PROCESS

While building we document the process with photos taken from 4 different angles.
Each time a new photo is processed it will be placed transparent on top of the old. In that waythe photos are supposed to show the buildings slowly growing up from ground!

FRIDAY, THE 22ND OF JUNE

TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY IN SUSHINE - EVEN ON A RAINY DAY

In Denmark it is a tradition that the build master holds a topping-out ceremony for the builders when the houses rafters have been raised. Originally topping-out ceremonies were held because it was believed that an act of such would mitigate evil spirits and that the construction project’s succes depended on the mood of the god’s rather than on the builders’ skills. If a topping-out ceremony was not held, the build master risked that the house would not be spiritually ”secured” for posterity. Later the topping-out ceremony became a symbol of status as well as an official act of gratitude towards the builders for their work. If a topping-out ceremony was not held, the build master risked a so called ”dead mason”. The builders would perform contemptuous acts against the build master by hanging a doll of straw or cement bags from the rafters, to let the whole neighbourhood know: ”here lives a build master who has not taken proper care of his builders.”

In the event of a topping-out ceremony it is a tradition to serve sausages, beer and soda. Krabbesholm højskole holds a ceremony of the such friday the 22nd of june 2012 at 13.00 o’clock.

TUESDAY, THE 19TH OF JUNE

Krabbesholm Højskole announces photography competition

As part of the development of the design of the new teaching spaces by the American company MOS Architects, Krabbesholm Højskole have put together a photography competition. The aim of the competition is to create a large mural for the exterior wall of one of the studio buildings, measuring 685 x 264 cm. The photograph must be in blank and white, and should relate to the formal language of the architecture and the materials of the buildings. The competition is open for everyone to enter. When entering the competition, you must attach a brief text describing your project. Photographs can be submitted by individuals or groups. The final deadline is 1st September 2012.

The panel of judges will select ten projects, which will be exhibited at the school’s Four Boxes Gallery at the school’s annual reunion in October. Following the exhibition one image will be selected as the winning image and installed on the wall of MOS Architect’s building. On the panel of judges sits Ulrik Heltoft from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Photography Lab, Birgitte Kirkhoff from Sorø Art Museum,  Michael Meredith and Hilary Sample from MOS Architects, Krabbesholm Højskole’s photography teachers Tine Maria Koefoed and Ditte Knus Tønnesen, together with the principle of Krabbesholm Højskole, Kurt Finsten. The winner of the competition will receive 10.000DKK in the form of a travel scholarship. 

wednesday, the 13th of june

Interview with Carsten Johansen, architect and teacher at Krabbesholm HØjskole

What are your thoughts regarding the buildings?
Krabbesholm is a school that is constantly evolving and the new buildings will help to enhance the interesting dynamics on campus. I think it’s of the upmost importance that the architecture in a place like this is highly dynamic. Looking at the current state of affairs at Krabbesholm, you could easily lean back and leave everything as is, but as the school is focusing on the creative arts it’s only natural to see a constant development of the surroundings.
MOS Architects have really done a great job here. They have succeeded in designing a group of building, which break with the grid established by the existing buildings at Krabbesholm. The choice of materials plays in large part in the dynamics of the design and the feeling of process and development.

The architecture students in particular have been skeptical about the new teaching spaces. How do you think the rooms are going to function as teaching spaces?
The rooms will reveal many unpredictable spaces, which are there for the students to explore. The interiors are very flexible and offer smaller ‘pocket’ spaces. This is in complete contrast to the current architecture studio, where we are continuously frustrated by the walls, because of the very long and narrow space with the sloping walls under the roof. This restricts the students’ movements. The new studio is larger and offers improved interior qualities.
In general, for the subjects taught at the school, I think it’s important that the students are constantly confronted with students from other disciplines. This will encourage a spontaneous dialogue and exchange of inspiration between the students.
Other the initial research, I have had no influence of the project, but I know that each studio will have a ‘group forum’, where students and teachers can meet and collaborate.

Rumour has it that members of the public in Skive aren’t too impressed by the new buildings – in your opinion, what are the reasons for their concerns?
It is not uncommon for the general public to express scepticism towards new buildings, and the reaction really isn’t surprising, when considering the historical context of the buildings. All things considered, nothing of particular historical importance was found during the archaeological digs in April. Therefore the buildings are completely valid.
You were part of the initial phases of the project. When did the idea for an expansion first come up?
Talks about the projects began a few years ago and have been ongoing for a while. Final decisions were only made recently. Initially we discussed where to place the new buildings. Afterwards we carried out a survey of the area and made sketch proposals in accordance with the teachers’ wishes for the new studios.

Did everyone agree on the idea of establishing a so-called ‘teaching village’ behind the main building?
The ‘village’ will promote a sense of community and help encourage interdisciplinary activities. Therefore everyone agreed to the idea of placing all studio spaces together and moving the student accommodation to the other side of campus. This will promote a teaching environment, where the subjects are more closely linked and students interact ‘professionally’ through their work, as well as socially after teaching hours.
The school plans to move students to ‘Håndværkerbygningen’ in January 2013. A long period of building has commenced, but I am certain that it will be worth all the chaos in the end.
Carsten Johansen is leaving Krabbesholm Højskole when this term finishes. He will return to work in Copenhagen.

MONDAY, THE 4TH OF JUNE

INTERN IN THE MIDDLE: NICOLA LAURSEN-SCHMDIT

I am based at the centre of this project, as the ’middle man’ between what’s going on in Skive and in New York. I spent nine weeks at MOS’ studio in New York, finishing the drawings for the building permit application. Through working on 3D and physical models, I got an insight into the project. Now, back in Denmark, I continuously update the architects on the progress made on site. I work on drawings and specifications and take part in the project meetings. I’m also working on a second model of the buildings.

Before starting this internship I completed a BA in Architecture from Aarhus School of Architecture (2011), as well as a six-month internship in Perth, Australia. Most of my projects at Aarhus School of Architecture have been had a very ‘buildable’ outcome: I find it interesting to test conceptual ideas in a realistic physical context. My time in Australia gave me an idea of the processes involved with getting a project from idea to finished building. Every day I use the drawing, organisational and collaboration skills, which I learned there.

Compared to the internship in Australia, I now have significantly more responsibility. I plan my own time and tasks. I have been particularly involved with developing the interior of the buildings: planning the layout of the acoustic ceiling panels and designing custom solutions for sinks and ladders. It’s a challenge not to have architectural advice right at hand; but I learn a lot from solving problems on my own – of course in collaboration with MOS, Krabbesholm, etc. At the project meetings I am continuously confronted with financial, legal and practical issues, which I would previously never have considered.

‘Communication’ has been a key term throughout the project. Two work methodologies and two building traditions have to combine, and decisions have to be made across the Atlantic. MOS and I send numerous hand sketches, write emails and speak on the phone. Everything must be checked and double-checked to ensure clarity on all issues, particularly regarding decisions made at the project meetings. There is no doubt that the decision-making process is prolonged significantly by the fact that the architects are based outside Denmark.

I have no doubt than the new buildings will change life at Krabbesholm: The studios provide more space, new insight into other subjects’ projects, and there is the option of collaboration or relaxing in the exterior courtyard spaces. It is going to benefit future students tremendously that they’ll all be housed in buildings at the southern end of the campus. This will promote a greater sense of community.
In September I will commence on my 8th term at Aarhus School of Architecture, but I will continue to be involved with the Krabbesholm project until the studios are officially opened in October.

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